Magnus
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Great, mighty — vast in scope and deeply admired
Origin: Latin/Scandinavian
Popularity: Ranked #765 in 2025 with 337 babies born.
History: Magnus comes directly from the Latin word for great. It spread through Scandinavia partly from the fame of Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus, meaning Charles the Great). Several Norse kings and saints bore the name, including Saint Magnus of Orkney. It remains popular in Scandinavia and has grown in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Famous people named Magnus: Magnus Carlsen (chess champion)
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Magnus? About 1 in 9,877 babies born in 2025 were named Magnus, or roughly 0.9 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Magnus
What does the name Magnus mean?
Magnus means “Great, mighty — vast in scope and deeply admired” from Latin/Scandinavian roots.
What is the origin of the name Magnus?
Magnus has Latin/Scandinavian origin. The traditional meaning is “Great, mighty — vast in scope and deeply admired”.
How popular is Magnus?
Magnus ranked #763 in 2025 — given to 337 babies that year.
When was Magnus most popular?
Magnus peaked in 2021 with 354 babies registered that year.
Is Magnus a boy or girl name?
Magnus is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Magnuss in registered births are male.
Is the name Magnus rising or falling in popularity?
Magnus has risen 36 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #799 in 2020 to #763 in 2025.
How long has Magnus been recorded?
Magnus appears in birth records across 96 years — from 1890 through 2025.